Guidelines on using color with bedding plants: Words to Grow By

Creating an attractive, colorful look with bedding plants is easier than ever, but it’s a good idea to do a little thinking and planning before you go to the nursery, and you will generally be more pleased with the results.

Lots of warm-season bedding plants are added to St. Bernard landscapes in April and May to provide color through the summer months. Now, you can evaluate the colors you chose and where you used them. If the color scheme isn’t as great as you thought it would be, it’s only there for a season. You can always try something different next time. Here are some basic guidelines for using color in the landscape.

Combine cool colors together (reds with a blue tint, burgundy, rose, pink, magenta, purple, violet, lavender, blue, navy and any variations of those colors) or warm colors together (reds with an orange tint, orange, gold, yellow, rust, peach and any variations on these colors) for reliably harmonious results.

Use color where you want to focus attention, such as at your front door. Never use color to “beautify” an unattractive feature in your landscape such as a trash can area. You will simply make sure everyone notices it.

Generally, reduce the number of colors you use for best results. In other words, use the colors you like in combinations that you like, but don’t use every color you like at the same time in the same bed.

It is also important to plant individual colors in masses or groups, especially if the bed will be viewed from a distance (as in a front bed being viewed from the street).

Use pastel colors in area that will be viewed primarily in the evening as they show up better in low light. Pastel colors make a space look larger and more open and tend to create a serene, restful mood. Vibrant, rich colors, on the other hand, energize the landscape and can help make a larger area seem smaller and more intimate.

The large amount of green foliage that appears in the landscape makes it more forgiving of wild color combinations, but its best not to push it too far.

For further information contact Alan Vaughn, County Agent, Plaquemines/St. Bernard Parish at 433-3664 or 278-42334.